Try this Fresh Strawberry Margarita Cocktail on the rocks with fresh berries and juices. It's the best...frozen will never measure up again!
The Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo are always on the same weekend which is tough for someone who loves both of them; especially when it comes to my decision for what to make for Friday Cocktails. I actually missed making something for either event in time to share it here but better late than never with Fresh Strawberry Margarita Cocktails!
In years past I've always honored the horse race with a new version of a mint julep or a cocktail associated with another race in the Triple Crown, assuming plenty of other people make great dishes and cocktails for the Mexican festival.
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I decided to change it up this year; I missed both! As in I missed posting this drink beforehand but I did take a pitcher to a neighbor's home for a celebration...tacos and Fresh Strawberry Margarita Cocktails? Perfect.
The fact is that I've made so many margaritas...if there's a fruit, I'm going to make a margarita...so why on earth am I just now getting around to this Strawberry Margarita Cocktail? Would you believe I've assumed for years that I included one in these pages. It wasn't until I was making a list of them for a post with ALL margaritas that I discovered the error of my ways. FINALLY...a Strawberry Margarita Cocktail...sorry for the delay.
Cinco de Mayo is actually a big deal in Denver; we have a large Hispanic population. Which also means some fabulous Mexican food too but I'll share a secret with you. I don't think I've ever been to a restaurant that made a really great margarita...I'm not kidding! They deal with the same demand to make money as every other restaurant and I only have to deal with making sure it tastes great!
When I first tried a margarita I was not impressed. 'Gold' tequila is basically cheap and the salt was too much. Really awful, so I tried strawberry margaritas thinking the fruit would help cover the awful taste of cheap tequila. The first ones I ever had were Frozen Strawberry Margaritas served in the quintessential margarita glass. I'm betting it was from frozen strawberries and mediocre tequila. They were OK but I wanted more than just OK so I was soon trying my hand at making them fresh at home.
The difference? Beyond compare. I've always espoused using a good brand of tequila, real orange liqueur and fresh fruits and I'm not stopping now.
Using some fresh spring ripened strawberry makes all the difference, in both color and taste. Last, but not least for me? Forget that frozen business; I never make them that way; I so prefer them poured on the rocks That's purely personal preference though...if you want yours frozen simply add a couple of cups of ice to the blender when you make these and frozen yours will be!
It took all I had to not have one of these Fresh Strawberry Margarita Cocktails sitting here with me at my desk while I hash out this (late) post, but I'm holding off...it's Mother's Day and I'm going to wait a bit and then celebrate ME! My children are so far away; Mother's Day is a pretty 'meh' holiday although my sweet neighbor did bring me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I call her the 'Best Daughter I Never Had!'
While I do love a great cocktail I'm not immune to the giggly results of one and I always worry I'll say something totally off the wall if I start typing while I'm sipping. I'll save the giggles for later when my neighbor walks over and shares with me; cocktails are more fun with company anyhow, don't you agree? Try some of these Fresh Strawberry Margarita Cocktails and you'll see!
I remember the first margarita I made so many years ago; probably still my favorite of all time and it really opened a door for me. Great margaritas are easy to make...and great ingredients are key.
Please please don't buy a pre-made margarita mixer; it might take a couple of minutes but all you need to make this fantastic cocktail are some simple ingredients (ingredient list and instructions at bottom of post):
- Fresh strawberries, hulled
- Blanco (or silver) tequila
- Orange liqueur
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Freshly squeezed lime juice
- Simple syrup (equal amounts sugar and water brought to a boil until sugar dissolves and then cooled)
- Sugar/salt mixed in equal portions to rim the glasses
- Strawberry slices
- Lime wedges
My caveats have always been...good tequila, not the best but better than 'gold', real orange liqueur, and fresh juices. I have an electric juice extractor for when I'm juicing a lot of fruit (like for lemonades) but for a cocktail; one of these juice presses works great.
Once you try your hand at making a margarita, switching up the flavor is simple...use blackberries or raspberries instead of strawberries or combine multiple fruits for a real surprise. I love to garnish my rims with a combination of salt and sugar and sanding sugars are my favorite; the large crystals are pretty and add a nice mouthfeel as well.
Want some more ideas for a Mexican fiesta? I've got a whole lotta margaritas!
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